Peski Records

Peski Records (Welsh: Recordiau Peski) was a Welsh independent record label founded in 2002 by Garmon Gruffydd, Rhys Edwards and a friend. The name derives from the Welsh word 'pesgi', meaning to feed or fatten a farm animal, and was coined while walking on the grounds of St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. The label's first release was Jakokoyak's debut album, Am Cyfan Dy Pethau Prydferth (2003), an experimental lo-fi electronic record with psychedelic folk influences, sometimes described as folktronica. After selling out in the UK, it was reissued in Japan and received positive coverage in magazines such as Vogue Nippon. Jakokoyak later supported Super Furry Animals on a short Japanese tour, enabling Peski to invest in other artists. Over the following years, Peski released records by David Mysterious (real name Cai Strachan), Evils and Stitches (a solo project by Rhydian Dafydd of The Joy Formidable), before signing Aberystwyth psychedelic indie-pop band Radio Luxembourg in 2007. Radio Luxembourg had intended to release two EPs before moving to a London label; after fulfilling the agreement, they signed with Fantastic Plastic Records and changed their name in 2009 to avoid legal issues with the radio station Radio Luxembourg. Cate Le Bon's first official record was released on Peski in 2008, the Welsh-language EP Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg, featuring vocal performances by Euros Childs and Andy Votel, who also designed the vinyl cover art. In 2012, Peski began working with R. Seiliog and released his first EP, "Shuffles". R. Seiliog went on to sign with Turnstile. During this period, the label hosted a series of legendary 'Peski Nacht' nights on the top floor of Jacobs Antiques building in Cardiff, showcasing the growing community of artists on the label and bringing influential international artists such as R. Stevie Moore, often considered a founder of DIY home recording, lo-fi and indie pop, to perform in Cardiff. In 2013, a series of EPs by Gwenno were released before her debut album Y Dydd Olaf in October 2014. This would be the last album released on the label. The album sold out quickly and, following a UK tour supporting Gruff Rhys, Gwenno signed a recording contract with Heavenly Recordings. Peski continued to work with Gwenno as her manager. In March 2016, after a period of silence, it was announced that the label had come to an end. Peski also produced a weekly radio programme, "Cam o'r Tywyllwch", presenting experimental and avant-garde music from Wales and beyond. The first programme was broadcast on 14 February 2013 and was the first Welsh-language show on Radio Cardiff. An eight-part series of "Cam O'r Tywyllwch" was produced for Resonance FM, London's art radio station, in January 2014 with the aim of promoting experimental music from Wales to a wider audience. The show is currently resting. The show's name is a tribute to the first collection of Welsh alternative music released on Recordiau Anhrefn in 1985. The show's opening music is also a reference to one of the first examples of Welsh electronic music – "Tros Y Gareg" by John Baker, recorded in 1970 at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The CAM festival was held at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2015, featuring a programme of talks, sound installations, cinema and live music. Pioneering band Datblygu performed live at the festival for the first time in 20 years, with other highlights including a performance of "Fish Music" – an idea conceived by author and musician Sam Richards, where fish swimming in a tank become musical notation through a five-line musical stave placed on the glass, and string players are instructed to choose a fish and follow its course across the stave. Artists who released on Peski include Cate Le Bon, Gwenno, Race Horses, Jakokoyak, Y Pencadlys, R. Seiliog, Plyci, Canolfan Hamdden, VVOLVES, David Mysterious, Land of Bingo, Evils, Stitches, Texas Radio Band, H O R S E S, Location Baked and Carcharorion.

Peski Records was founded in 2002 by Garmon Gruffydd, Rhys Edwards and a friend. The name comes from the Welsh word 'pesgi', meaning to feed or fatten a farm animal, and was coined while walking on the grounds of St Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. The label's first release was Jakokoyak's debut album, Am Cyfan Dy Pethau Prydferth (2003), an experimental lo-fi electronic record with psychedelic folk influences, sometimes called folktronica. The album title was taken from a badly translated poster on the walls of Cardiff Students' Union. After all copies sold out in the UK, it was reissued in Japan and received a warm welcome in magazines such as Vogue Nippon. Following several other records, Jakokoyak supported Super Furry Animals on their short Japanese tour, and this success allowed Peski to invest in other artists. Over the following years, the label released several records by David Mysterious (real name Cai Strachan), Evils and Stitches (a solo project by Rhydian Dafydd of The Joy Formidable), before signing Aberystwyth psychedelic indie-pop band Radio Luxembourg in 2007. Radio Luxembourg had stated an intention to release two EPs before moving on to a London record label. After fulfilling the agreement, Radio Luxembourg went on to sign with Fantastic Plastic Records and changed their name in 2009 to avoid possible legal problems with the radio station Radio Luxembourg. Cate Le Bon's first official record was released on Peski in 2008 with the Welsh-language EP Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg. The record includes vocal performances by Euros Childs and Andy Votel, who also designed the vinyl cover artwork. In 2012, Peski began working with R. Seiliog and his first EP, "Shuffles", was released. R. Seiliog went on to sign a contract with the label Turnstile. During this period, the label began hosting a series of legendary 'Peski Nacht' nights on the top floor of the Jacobs Antiques building in Cardiff. This was an opportunity to showcase the growing community of artists on the label as well as to bring influential international artists to perform with them in Cardiff, such as R. Stevie Moore, who is often considered the founder of DIY home recording, lo-fi and indie pop. In 2013, a series of EPs by Gwenno were released before her debut album Y Dydd Olaf in October 2014. This would be the last album released on the label. The album sold out quickly and, following a tour of the UK supporting Gruff Rhys, Gwenno signed a recording contract with Heavenly Recordings. Peski continues to work with Gwenno as her manager. In March 2016, after a period of silence, it was announced that the label had come to an end. Peski also produced a weekly radio programme, "Cam o'r Tywyllwch", presenting experimental and avant-garde music from Wales and beyond. The first programme was broadcast on 14 February 2013 and was the first Welsh-language show on Radio Cardiff. An eight-part series of "Cam O'r Tywyllwch" was produced for Resonance FM, London's art radio station, in January 2014 with the aim of promoting experimental music from Wales to a wider audience. The show is currently resting. The show's name is a tribute to the first collection of Welsh alternative music released on Recordiau Anhrefn in 1985. The show's opening music is also a reference to one of the first examples of Welsh electronic music – "Tros Y Gareg" by John Baker, recorded in 1970 at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The CAM festival was held at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2015, featuring a programme of talks, sound installations, cinema and live music. Pioneering band Datblygu performed live at the festival for the first time in 20 years, with other highlights including a performance of "Fish Music" – an idea conceived by author and musician Sam Richards, where fish swimming in a tank become musical notation through a five-line musical stave placed on the glass, and string players are instructed to choose a fish and follow its course across the stave. Artists who released on Peski include Cate Le Bon, Gwenno, Race Horses, Jakokoyak, Y Pencadlys, R. Seiliog, Plyci, Canolfan Hamdden, VVOLVES, David Mysterious, Land of Bingo, Evils, Stitches, Texas Radio Band, H O R S E S, Location Baked and Carcharorion.

• 2016

  Label announced as ended in March.

• 2015

  CAM festival held at Wales Millennium Centre.

• 2014

  Released Gwenno's debut album Y Dydd Olaf in October; last album on the label.

• 2013

  First broadcast of radio programme Cam o'r Tywyllwch on 14 February.

• 2012

  Began working with R. Seiliog; released his EP Shuffles.

• 2008

  Released Cate Le Bon's first official record, the EP Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg.

• 2007

  Signed Radio Luxembourg.

• 2003

  First release: Jakokoyak's debut album Am Cyfan Dy Pethau Prydferth.

• 2002

  Label founded by Garmon Gruffydd, Rhys Edwards and a friend.

Independent Welsh label specialising in experimental, lo-fi and Welsh-language music.

• 2003

  Jakokoyak – Am Cyfan Dy Pethau Prydferth

• 2008

  Cate Le Bon – Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg EP

• 2012

  R. Seiliog – Shuffles EP

• 2014

  Gwenno – Y Dydd Olaf

1. 1Peski Records - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Recordiau Peski - Wicipediacy.wikipedia.org